In The Paint: Southeast Division
Youth is Served
The NBA’s Southeast Division is perhaps the most promising division in the league. The emergence of the Magic, the development of the Hawks, and the rebirth of the Heat are all storylines of the league this year. Sure, you still have the decline of the Wizards, and the Bobcats who cannot seem to get out of their own way, but both of those teams have talent, and could turn things around fast.
The Orlando Magic have been waiting for this year for a while. Dwight Howard has developed into a first team All-NBA center, and his supporting cast of Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson and company compliment his playing style well. The offensive minded Magic don’t get the headlines that Boston and Cleveland has this season, and I think they would like it to stay just like that. Orlando can quietly fly under the radar, win their 50-55 games, and lock up a 3 seed in the East. Their ultimate goal though is to grab the 1 or 2 seed, which would give them the important home court advantage if they were to meet up with Boston or Cleveland in the second round of the playoffs.
Atlanta, who gave Boston all they could handle in last years playoffs, remain a team on the rise. Joe Johnson is finally getting the national recognition he deserves as one of the best players in the game, and their young roster of talent has the city of Atlanta buzzing. The Hawks will be a very tough matchup for whoever plays them in the playoffs this year.
Miami was not supposed to compete for a playoff spot this year. Don’t tell that to Dwayne Wade. Fresh off his dominant Olympics performance, Wade has played like a MVP so far, guiding his team into playoff contention, and getting people in the city of Miami to care about basketball again. Rookie Mario Chalmers has fit in very well thus far, and with lottery pick Michael Beasley coming off the bench, the pressure is not on him to produce so quick as others in his class.
The Charlotte Bobcats will not make the playoffs again this year, and seem to already know it. The trade of Jason Richardson seemed like a win for the Bobcats, who received Boris Diaw and Raja Bell in return. Diaw is a player who can contribute every night for them. Unfortunately, there are many questions regarding the majority of the roster, from rumors of moving Raymond Felton, Gerald Wallace, and Adam Morrison. The team entering 2009 will not be the same team by the end of this season, that is for certain.
And then there is the Washington Wizards. The Wiz do not have Jamison or Arenas, but sitting with the leagues 2nd worst record is not accpetable. Eddie Jordan was the early scapegoat, yet things have not improved any. I said earlier this season that Washington would tank the season, and the more I watch them, the more I believe they are trying to assure themselves of having the best chance to draft Blake Griffin or Ricky Rubio next summer.
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